The Falcons’ partnership that never was: Vick and Petrino
Not exactly what he had in mind: Petrino eyes Joey Harrington. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It’s a great Atlanta sports imponderable, occupying the same shelf as, “What if the Braves had signed Barry Bonds in 1992?” and “What if the Hawks had drafted a point guard instead of a guy named Marvin?” This one is especially excruciating because the principals were actually in place. But reality, as we know, interceded.
In January 2007 the Falcons hired Bobby Petrino as coach. Chief among Petrino’s reasons for leaving Louisville, which he had just directed to an Orange Bowl victory, was his desire to coach a player who, after six NFL seasons, was still the essence of talent untapped. In a conversation his first week in Flowery Branch, Petrino recalled how he and Dom Capers would sit together on team flights when both were Jacksonville assistants and say, “What would you do with Michael Vick?”
And now Petrino would have his chance. Or so he thought.
The first time the new coach met his quarterback-to-be, the issue wasn’t how Vick might fit into Petrino’s system but the strange doings involving the trick water bottle at the Miami airport. When nothing came of that investigation, the two began the process of bonding.
Petrino got the job because he was everything Jim Mora hadn’t been. The previous coach, a defensive man by trade, had hired his pal Greg Knapp to implement the West Coast Offense, the basis of which is short passes delivered quickly. Essentially Mora/Knapp wanted the NFL’s most dangerous man with the ball in his hands to get rid of the ball, which never made a lick of sense then and makes less now.
In 2002, his first season as a pro starter, Vick under Dan Reeves had thrown for 2,936 yards and had a passer rating of 81.6. In three seasons under Mora/Knapp he never threw for even 2,500 yards and didn’t achieve a rating higher than 78.1. At a time when Vick should have become a full-blown quarterback, his lack of coaching reduced him to being a glorified tailback.
Vick has since admitted he didn’t work as hard at his craft as he should have, but part of that might be traced to the realization that he was, at least as a passer, being misused. He had an uncommonly precise game at Miami in 2005 when the he’s-not-really-a-quarterback chorus was in full cry, and afterward he vented to me: “People forget I threw for nearly 3,000 yards in ‘02.”
Petrino should have been the man to make Vick a quarterback. Say what you will about this coach — yes, he’s a shameless job-hopper — but he’s among the best offensive minds in the business. (Note that Arkansas, in Year 3 under Bobby P., just finished second in the cutthroat SEC West and will grace the Sugar Bowl.)
With Petrino as his tutor, Vick was rededicating himself to football. He viewed this as his chance to shut everybody up, and Petrino, who’s famously difficult to please, liked what he saw. He told one associate: “We’re going to average 30 points a game.” (Note: Only one NFL team — New England — is averaging 30 points a game.)
Then it all turned to dust. Vick was indicted on the eve of training camp, which began with the quarterback in court in Richmond, Va., and a plane flying above the Falcons’ practice field bearing a streamer: “New Team Name — Dog Killers.” On Dec. 10, 2007, Vick would be sentenced to 23 months in a jail; hours later the Falcons would lose to New Orleans to fall to 3-10. The next night Petrino was gone to Fayetteville, Ark., where he could be seen calling the Hogs on live TV.
So: It didn’t happen here. But it’s happening in Philadelphia. If we wonder what Vick might have been under Petrino, we need only look at what he has become under Andy Reid. His quarterback rating is 104.3, trailing only Tom Brady. He averages 8.55 yards per pass, second to Philip Rivers. His completion percentage, never higher than 56.4 as a Falcon, is 63.6.
Yeah, he’s a Real Quarterback. The sad part is that he shouldn’t have had to go to Philly to become one. He finally had the right coach here. The right coach, alas, at the wrong time.
Oh, and one thing more: The 2010 Eagles are averaging 28.8 points. Almost the 30 Bobby Petrino had, back in 2007, forecast for a team led by Michael Vick.
By Mark Bradley
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235 comments Add your comment
Eagles own Falcons
December 16th, 2010
10:02 am
If the Super Bowl for the NFC Champs goes thru Atlanta, then it will just be another home game for the Eagles. The last time the Falcons beat the Eagles, was with the current Eagles QB. LOL
Eagles own Falcons
December 16th, 2010
10:04 am
Did anybody notice how on Monday on the homepage, the AJC had Vick’s picture and stories about the Eagles win? But the Falcons were not mentioned on the homepage at all? LOL, well….got to give the people what they want obviously. Evidently that’s what they want.
Timbo
December 16th, 2010
10:08 am
Talk about revisionist history with the influence of the style of offense and the coaching staff. Mike Vick has readily admitted in several interviews that he DID NOT STUDY THE PLAYBOOK, DID NOT TRY TO LEARN HOW TO READ DEFENSES, AND RELIED SOLELY ON HIS ATHLETIC ABILITY…He also readily admitted that he made no attempt to stay late after practices to watch film and never attempted to be a team leader….I believe in second chances and redemption and am truly happy for Mike Vick. Hell! i even have him on one of my fantasy teams, but to suggest that the end result in Atlanta would have been any different based on a different coaching staff or offensive system is inaccurate at best and down right intellectually dishonest. At that time of Vick’s life, he truly was a coach killer, and Dan Reeves, Mike Smith or even the great Andy Reid would not have been able to change that.
Vick rules
December 16th, 2010
10:14 am
Vick still demands all the attention.
Matt who?
Capologist
December 16th, 2010
10:16 am
I dont blame Bradley for writing this. Vick is a national draw, it is what it is. Almost a million votes nationwide by fans and The Eagles games have been ratings hits. Love him or hate him, you’ll watch him.
UGA fan
December 16th, 2010
10:23 am
waaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
There are lots of reasons why my Bulldogs keep getting beaten in football – and none of it’s our fault! Those other players are just tougher than us. That’s not fair.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaa
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2010
10:27 am
Mark…GREAT ARTICLE man.
For years, I watched the Falcons with Vick at the helm, and you could see…especially in 2006 that Vick was turning the corner, but I always said that coaching and personnel was holding him back…its turns out he was holding himself back also.
Really, what did Vick have to get excited about? An at the time immature Roddy White? Jenkins? Peerless Price? Dez White? LOL. Exactly. I know you’re thinking “he was making 130 mil” apparently it doesn’t matter once you have the money. Vick was already rich, so the money didn’t really matter. The thing was, football wasn’t fun anymore for Vick. You could tell that it was stressful for him. He recieved ALL OF THE BLAME FOR EVERYTHING…defense…you name it. He was expected to make every play. Look at him in Philly. He’s calm in the pocket, smooth, and the best QB in the NFL. After Reeves was unjustly fired, i knew it was over from there. Jim Mora/Knapp??!?!? No one on the team respected them. Vick just flat out didn’t care after the first year, and I don’t blame him. Blank is a good guy, but he and McKay thought they could put scraps around Vick and win. Wrong.
Look at Vick now. You people on here said that Vick would never play again or be any good. Wrong again. Matt Ryan? Not even in the same league as Vick…look at the stats. If the Falcons lose Michael Turner, your season is over. Its looking like my Eagles will be coming to ATL for a playoff game, due to the Falcons having a cupcake schedule. My Eagles will win, i gurantee it.
I told you Vick would shine again. I told you.
PMC
December 16th, 2010
10:40 am
Ok, this all being said, What were the Falcons supposed to do? I still don’t understand why you all hate the Falcons? They made a couple of God Awful coaching hires…. Vick went to prison.
Were they supposed to spend 3 years with Joey Harrington???
We go from the most exciting player in football to Joey Sunshine and Byron Leftwich????
That was miserable.
I so hope Bradley’s next column is breaking down playoff scenarios in 2007. Or 1984.
PMC
December 16th, 2010
10:42 am
Hell remember 2004. Doug Johnson? Kurdt Kittner. And he actually beat the Giants in New York.
It’s really baffling how bad teams were in the past, we need to appreciate the good ones while we have them.
Capologist
December 16th, 2010
10:54 am
Petrino had no choice but to leave the way he did. He had practically been begging to be fired from the minute he knew he wouldn’t be coaching Vick. The man did everything possible to get canned – like George Constanza on Seinfeld. Yet still Blank wouldn’t just let the man go…so he dipped in the middle of the night.
megan
December 16th, 2010
10:59 am
What in the world prompted you to write this ridiculous column Mark? As I have to constantly remind certain whining friends, quit thinking and worrying about what you CANNOT do with what you DO NOT have! Focus on what you CAN do with what you DO have! We have Matt Ryan, we are 11-2, we have just made it 3 winning seasons in a row… I do not miss Mike Vick!
FALCON FANATIC FAN
December 16th, 2010
11:22 am
Mark- Not sure what the point of this article is. A lot of ‘what if’ scenarios. We are in the Conference lead, we are 11-2, we have a great quarterback. I loved Michael Vick as well when he was with the Falcons, but he caused his problems, no one else. He has now made good of himself, paid his dues, and is with Philly (and I am very proud of him), and I think he is fantastic talent, but let’s talk about the FALCONS, and now!, and not this “what if history could have changed’” crap. Get with it and write some articles with meaning for us FALCONS fans who are hungry for SUCCESS NOW, and today! Maybe you should write some syndicated articles for Philly papers and avoid the AJC Sports section until after the season is over.
Seriously?????????
December 16th, 2010
11:25 am
I do find it interesting that MB wrote this article and has yet to post any response, which he frequently does. Which to me could mean a couple of things. 1) He had no purpose other than to get people riled up. Like throwing a rock through a window and hiding behind a car so you can watch what happens next. or 2) He didnt figure that most people (from what I can tell) would have the reaction of “who freakin’ cares” and “why are you writing this??” and decided to back away.
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2010
11:35 am
@FALCON FANATIC FAN
Mark is writing this story because I believe he knows the Falcons would be more dangerous with Vick at the helm. Vick is a way better QB than Ryan and you know it…everyone knows it whether they want to admit it or not.
The Falcons are 11-2…so what?!? Apparently most of you fans don’t believe in them, just like the rest of the country doesn’t. No GREAT team is afraid to come to the GA Dome in the playoffs. Ya’ll really don’t have a great home field advantage like it used to be when Vick was here. that’s especially true if the Eagles come here for a playoff game…it will be a home game almost for the Eagles because alot of people including myself would actually go to that game to support Vick.
Its good that you’re proud of your team man, its just that Vick is on another level and as you can see, this town will never get over what could have been with Vick. Ryan just isn’t the guy with talent or charisma that Vick has.
LT
December 16th, 2010
12:00 pm
For anyone who questions the sanity of the Falcons parting of the ways with Vick, watch the interview Jim Mora did with him earlier this year for the NFL network. He had success on the field despite the fact he admitted he never watched film (he threw them on the floor of his car), he thought he as above the law and didn’t care about working harder to become a better player. HE said no one could have changed the path he was going down other than him. Not fan love, not coaches, not success, not the ownership. The way some talk, Atlanta sent him to prison, sat around and watched our team get to the playoffs, mislead him into thinking ownership would welcome him back, and then made a fool of him by shunning him. No team with ownership worth a damn would wait around for ‘what if.’ Vick said that only by being in prison did he learn to appreciate his gifts and to not take things for granted. He paid his dues to society, got a break in Philly and is making the most of it, and good for him. The Mike Vick we see now would NEVER have materialized in Atlanta, by his own words and at his own hand. He’s a worthy adversary just like Brees, Manning, etc. but we’ve moved on because we had no choice. I hope to see him as the starter in the Pro Bowl, if only for the fact that it means he won’t be playing the following weekend….:>) As far as Eagles fans being in the Dome for a playoff game….blah, blah, blah…ask the Packers and Ravens fans how well that went. Opposing fans in the Dome this year are a non-factor. The absolute key for any of the top teams to reach the Super Bowl is keeping their stars healthy. I’ll roll the dice with our guys.
Vick Supporter
December 16th, 2010
12:09 pm
@LT
You’re correct on alot of points, but you fail to mention that the other parts of the problem besides Vick…coaching, management, etc.
And Ryan will be Vick’s backup at the pro bowl. Just the way it should be. Vick is just better than Ryan. Period. Vick is a top 3 QB. Ryan is MAYBE the tenth best….and that’s pretty good also.
All I'm Saying Is...
December 16th, 2010
3:47 pm
Great post Bradley! Most folks don’t want to think about ‘what if’ considering how well the Falcons are doing but that is the reason, in my opinion, for the sentimental and supportive view many have of Vick. Allow me to explain: You only have so many superstars in sports and any city is lucky to get one or two or have a GM smart enough to get you a few. And in Atlanta, Dan Reeves traded up to draft Vick and together they did some great things: winning playoff games, winning a playoff game at Lambeau and taking us to the NFC Championship game. One reason for some antipathy to Arthur Blank is everyone knows he used Vick’s injury as an excuse to fire Dan Reeves and then turned around and hired Mora when other better candidates (i.e. Lovie Smith) were available. Who knows how things might have evolved with Vick if Reeves were still his coach and, as Bradley points out, who knows what we might have seen on the field with Vick leading a Petrino offense. We all wish Vick had been more dedicated to craft and more mature about his life and his play in Philly only underlines that angst that some of us have. This does not mean we are not Ryan fans. We just wish things had been different because, man oh man, we were on the cusp of doing some remarkable things and potentially getting a ring or two.
All that typed, we all appreciate and love what the Falcons have done so far this season and what they are in a position to do in the season’s final weeks. So thanks, Bradley, for the trip down memory lane and the chance to play ‘what if’ but now its time to focus on what is and what could be!
LET’S GO FALCONS!
megan
December 16th, 2010
3:58 pm
To all the Vick lovers, how many more Super Bowl rings does he own than Matt Ryan?
megan
December 16th, 2010
4:02 pm
What if Vick didn’t get convicted of FELONY dog fighting and stayed? What if Bobby Petrino still wet his pants and ran to Arkansas? What if the Falcons were today 6-7 and Vick were out for the season? Ohhhh that would be so much better!
megan
December 16th, 2010
4:04 pm
And by the way, I’ll take the Falcons 11-2 record over the Eagles 9-4 record every day!
JSS
December 16th, 2010
4:05 pm
@ Eric….
“when the current franchise is 11-2 and knocking on the door of Atlanta’s first number one seed in the NFC ever?”
They (the Falcons) were the No. 1 seed in 1980… The Eagles were No. 2 seed. The Vikings were the Central winners and received a bye to meet the Eagles at the Vet. The Cowboys and the Rams met in the old Wild Card round with the Cowboys winning and advancing to meet the Falcons. Dallas eliminated the heavily favored home standing “Team of the 80’s” Falcons. They were 6-2 at home during the regular season…
joe hatcher
December 16th, 2010
4:16 pm
Nice sports journalism. Creative and interesting; wish we had more like this..
Falcon66
December 16th, 2010
4:22 pm
Eagles have Vick, we have Ryan and I’m sooooo happy Patrino is not in this state.
Clifton Jones
December 16th, 2010
4:29 pm
The volume of comments and the number of Pro Bowl votes lead to one conclusion that everyone should agree on…Mike Vick sells!!! His talents, his faults, the Falcons history and future are debatable, but you will pay to watch Mike Vick play quarterback. The Hawks blunders are too long to recall including not trading Josh Smith for the big guy making history in New York. Atlanta is a city very busy hating and with a legacy on being on the wrong side of history.
LawDawg
December 16th, 2010
4:40 pm
Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll take Matty Ice and Mike Smith any day over that trainwreck tandem.
LawDawg
December 16th, 2010
4:41 pm
Clifton Jones: Agreed, like him or not (a strong “not” for me), Vick is the most exciting player to watch.
Also, I love that just as he is getting back in people’s good graces, he says he wants a dog. What a freaking imbecile.
Christopher Chance
December 17th, 2010
5:55 am
Bobby Petrino didnt sign on to coach a bad Falcons team in 2007. I dont blame Petrino for jumping ship. Owners fire coaches all the time when a team is doing badly…..why cant a coach say F-This-Shyt…….and leave…..especially when what he signed on for (an All-Pro QB to build an offense around who gets sent to prison) disappears?
Petrino didnt want to coach a bunch of losers for a couple of years. The Falcons got LUCKY with the quick development of Matt Ryan (in reality, VERY FEW rookie QBs excel their first year). There’s no way that Petrino could have foreseen that.
Tee
December 17th, 2010
10:28 am
Bradley, you write more articles about Mike Vick than Matt Ryan. You screamed to the top of your lungs with joy 3 years ago when Mike Vick was gone. However, over those same 3 years we see yet ANOTHER weekly Mike Vick article whether its you or one of your co-workers. MOVE ON…Mike Vick could care less what YOU think or your knuckle dragging admirers! You haters NEVER wanted him here since day ONE…so enjoy what you have now if you can. Its obvious that MV7 is STILL keeping the lights on at the AJC!!
Bubba
December 17th, 2010
10:34 am
The falcons could win a super bowl this year and they STILL wouldn’t get the respect that this team had during the Vick years! Heck the falcons don’t get any respect now from ESPN or NFL Network and you are 11-2. lol
Amy
December 17th, 2010
10:36 am
I think Bradley has a “man crush” on MV7…do you sleep with his jersey on???
Escaped from Email Purgatory
December 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
All this “haters” crap gets old.
The only one who deserves blame in this whole affair is Michael Vick. He’s the first to admit that. Why rag on the Falcons? Why rag on the fans who were glad to see him go. Let’s face it. They have a point.
Vick was less than motivated his last few years here. He never studied game film. He was the last to get to practice and the first to leave. He rolled outta bed on Sunday mornings, flicked the sleep crud from the corners of his eyes and relied on his God-given talents alone to get him through games. Teams figured out how to contain him. The Birds became a .500 team. Stagnation, I believe you call it.
Dog-fighting aside, Mike had issues here – mostly related to his poor work ethic and the company he kept. His mother tried to square him away, but she finally got discouraged and went home to Virginia.
Vick met the media tricked out in hip-hop garb and garish accessories, looking more like a knuckle-head teenager you’d see at the mall rather than an NFL quarterback. Hell, I’d bet my wedding band he conducted a good number of those interviews in a marijuana-induced haze.
But that’s history. Vick’s not the same guy now.
He’s in the process of redeeming himself as a man and realizing his immense potential as an NFL quarterback. Good for him. Good for the NFL.
Stop making excuses for the “old” Michael Vick. He caused his own downfall.
JOELEATHER222
December 18th, 2010
9:33 am
This is a great piece, Mark.
People forget what almost was, but life went another direction, and details get hazy.
Thanks for pointing out the forgotten facts-
Vick had a great year passing under Reeves.
Mora/Knapp had an asinine scheme for Vick.
Petrino (loser that he was) knew how to use Vick appropriately.
The truth in your words is borne out by the year Vick is having in Philly.
Hope we don’t have to face him in the playoffs.
Go Falcons!
Michael Skelton
December 19th, 2010
1:55 am
You suck as a columnist, Petrino is was, always has been a quitter, and always will be. As for Vick, he killed dogs, Why would I want him on my team? I don’t hate Michael Vick, but he is a scumbag. I hope the time in jail made him think long and hard about what he did. I have forgiven him for what he did but I haven’t forgotten what that low life did. I couldn’t care less about him as a football player. I am glad he doesn’t play for the Falcons. He can go to hell. To “Falcons Sorry” dude, you need to learn how to spell because you make yourself look like an idiot. Go back to school and study this time.
Billy
December 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
Petrino can go to H-E-double hockey sticks!
Michael lamb
December 20th, 2010
8:34 pm
who cares??